Metro Weekly

Sunday Death Reported

SW nightclub staff discover patron in distress who later dies at GWU Hospital

Metropolitan Police are investigating the death of a man who was found still alive inside a local nightclub at closing time during the early hours of Sunday, Oct. 2, and who died at George Washington University Hospital later that day.

The man, thought to be in his mid-40s, was found at 1824 Half St. SW between 2 and 3 a.m. The address is the site of Ziegfeld’s/Secrets entertainment complex.

Jon Parks, general manager at Ziegfeld’s/Secrets, says he called 911 and that the patron was taken to George Washington University Hospital. Parks says no member of his staff recognized the man.

After emergency personnel transported the patron to the hospital, Parks says he called the hospital, which could not give him any information on the man other than to say they were assisting him at that time. Parks then visited the hospital personally, where he was unable to learn anything more, except that no personal relations had come to see the patient.

Parks says the club is helping police with the investigation, but had no further comment.

A Metropolitan Police Department spokeswoman says the death is under investigation, but has no additional information. An Oct. 2 supervisor’s report from the MPD’s Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit (GLLU) noted that the death is being investigated by the department’s Homicide Unit, but that the cause of death has not yet been determined.

Beverly Fields, spokeswoman for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, says the report of the deceased’s cause and manner of death is still pending.

Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism

These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!